Today Ming asked me to attend his meeting with Save the Children. Jasmine Whitbread laid out her stall very clearly and is, I thought, a very able advocate for the work they do. All the organisations are keen to influence me at this early stage of my thinking – and that is their job and their advocacy. I am looking and learning at the moment. Absorbing it all and asking many questions. In a field like this I am keen to add value and champion what not only needs championing but the things that strike a chord with me, with Liberal Democracy and with need – and where I think I and we as a party can add value.